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Anson County Partnership for Children held its annual Champions for Children Celebration on April 29 at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. All 2014 Champion for Children nominees were recognized and the 2014 award winner was announced.

This award is presented annually to an individual who has been a champion for children in Anson County and demonstrated the Partnership’s mission of “helping make Anson County a better place to be a child and to raise a child.” The Champion for Children Celebration recognizes individuals who:

• Champion the well-being of children in Anson County.

• Demonstrate commitment to providing a better future for children in Anson County.

• Work with others to raise awareness about children’s issues.

• Believe in building strong families.

• Demonstrate leadership on behalf of children in Anson County.

Partnership executive director Elaine Scarborough and Partnership board chair Dr. Fred Thompson welcomed guests and nominees. The Reverend Dr. Carl Dumford, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, provided the invocation. Following the hors d’oeuvres, children from Margaret Goins’ N.C. Pre-K classroom presented a musical program of songs from their current study of insects. Guest speaker Dr. Michael Blackwell, president/CEO of Baptist Children’s Homes of N.C., encouraged all nominees and participants to continue taking a bold stand for children in Anson County.

Six very worthy nominees were presented plaques to honor their service to the children of Anson County. The 2014 Champion for Children nominees were Lisa Davis, Chairperson of the Anson County Board of Education; Karen Gerald, N.C. Pre-K teacher at UCCA Head Start; Margaret Goins, N.C. Pre-K teacher at Open Doors Center for Children at First United Methodist Church; Scott Gulledge, Wadesboro Police Officer; William Kress (JR) Horne Jr., Corporal at the Anson County Sheriff’s Department; and Annie Parsons, owner of C’s and T’s Childcare in Wadesboro.

Dr. Blackwell unveiled the glass 2014 Champion for Children award and presented it to Margaret Wall Goins along with a “Champion for Children” lapel pin. The children from the classroom surrounded Goins as she accepted the award. Goins thanked the parents of all the children she has taught in her 38 year career for allowing her to be a part of their lives.

Margaret Goins is continuing the tradition of the 2013 Champion for Children, Vancine Sturdivant, who has been a tireless advocate for children in Anson County, including leading the Week of the Young Child Parade.

Anson County Partnership for Children is a nonprofit public/private organization which was formed in 1996 in response to the North Carolina Smart Start initiative. The Partnership’s mission is “helping to make Anson County a better place to be a child and to raise a child.” For more information, contact Bonnie Morgan at 704-694-4036, .

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